The 7 Degrees of Change Foundation is a North Carolina non-member, 501C3 not-for-profit corporation founded in 2009 by the Norcross Family to promote global literacy in memory of the late Gail Norcross, with its original mission to provide books, funding and support to libraries in the Philippines.
Our mission expanded in 2012 when we became a Charter Management Organization (CMO), assuming management control over the Phoenix Academy, a public school of choice founded in 1997 by the founders of the 7 Degrees. The school was recognized by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction for bringing the Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS), which is now referred to as Multi-Tiered Support System (MTSS) to the state. It was also the first International Baccalaureate School of Choice in North Carolina.
Our team also developed and implemented pioneering school safety technology known as the Critical Incident Safety and Security Notification System©, with shooter detection systems, live video feeds, locking systems, sensors and lighting all directly connected to local law enforcement. Integrated lighting systems, barricades, alarms and ballistic glass throughout each facility. Also the first charter School and first in the county to implement the CIRK program.
Our Leadership team was instrumental in putting forth and enacting policies and legislation improving education statewide including but not limited to eliminating the cap on charter schools, enabling the ability to replicate and fast track school openings, and digitizing the school application process. Also founding the North Carolina Alliance of public charter schools, now known as the NC Association of Public Charter Schools.
Our global literacy program was recognized at the 5th annual South East Asia Studies Symposium at Oxford University in 2016 with our work in the Philippines, Macau, Bhutan and Malaysia. The Library Renewal Partnership has taken over the program and continues to serve the literacy needs in the Philippines.
We assisted the Corregidor Foundation in securing sustainable, solar powered lighting at the Eternal Flames Monument honoring the American and Filipino brothers and sisters that died for the preservation of liberty in World War II.
We assisted in the establishment of multiple job centers in Mandaue, Cebu, helping relocate displaced scavengers who were lived in the garbage dumb, surviving off of trash, to receive technical skills, education and housing.
We structured and created the foundation, and provided a sizeable donation to secure and build the campus for the Horsepower Foundation. An equine therapy program serving an ever growing population of children, adults and veterans in North Carolina.
We made the decision in 2022 to exit the Charter Management Organization (CMO) space by transferring management of the Phoenix Academy schools to National Heritage Academies. Being a large organization with a similar mindset, they have the capacity to properly manage the programs created by the 7 Degrees for many decades to come. Our focus is the dissemination and integration of the "7 Degrees" into our culture through multiple distribution channels. Including but not limited to Curriculum, Publications, Consulting, Training, Audio and Video that impact the culture of the classroom, home, workplace and third space.
We have had the privilege of having a direct, positive impact on tens of thousands of lives locally and internationally and pleased to continue down this path, further fulfilling our mission.
